Nikon P510 Offers Highest Zoom Ratio Ever Seen in a Compact Camera

PETAPIXEL ^ | Feb 03, 2012 | swampsniper

[SWAMPSNIPER]

Nikon has unveiled a new superzoom compact camera called the P510 that offers a ridiculous 42x optical zoom — the highest zoom ratio ever seen in such a camera. In 35mm terms, the lens goes from a 24mm on the wide-angle side to a 1000mm on the telephoto end. The 16.1MP camera also boasts a 3-inch LCD screen, 1080p video recording, GPS, 5fps continuous shooting, and ISO 3200. It’ll hit store shelves later this month with a price tag of $430.

[rustbucket]

It might well be your photo-finishing program. I use Photoshop Elements 9.

[N. Theknow]

It might well be your photo-finishing program. I use Photoshop Elements 9.

I used the Digital Photo Professional that came with the camera.

Guess I will have to break down and read the instructions.

[Vinnie]

Re:41.
What lens did you use. Was it an ‘L’ lens?
I have a 55-250IS that takes nice ‘snapshot’ pics. But wildlife, cropped shots are soft.
My son has a huge L lens that takes razor sharp pics and I’m trying to justify dropping $1300 on an L lens.
Canon Ti DSLR.

[Vinnie]

Oh Man1
That eagle shot is beautiful!

Get any snook or stone crabs in Flamingo? The 2 best seafood.

[meyer]

Is that the Sigmonster??!!

[rustbucket]

Here's what it says on the lens:

"Canon Zoom Lens EF 100-400mm 1:4.5-5.6 L IS"

So, it appears to be an L lens. The separate letter "L" is red on the camera like I typed it. It cost about $1,500 brand new seven years ago. It has been a great lens. It is small enough to hand hold when taking pictures.

FYI, the picture in post 41 was hand held through the window of my car, which was running. Exposure time was 1/800th of a second, the f stop was 10, and the ISO was 800.

[rustbucket]

I have Digital Photo Professional too. It came with my camera, like yours did. Once I bought Photoshop Elements 9 this past summer, I stopped using Digital Photo Professional because PE9 was so much better. Photoshop Elements 10 is on the market now, and I think it costs under $100.

I'll see if I can generate that white outline you got using Digital Photo Professional on one of my photos.

[rustbucket]

I can get a white outline using Digital Photo Professional by doing way too much sharpening and playing with the tone curves. My white outline was not as sharp as yours but the effect was definitely there.

[Just mythoughts]

Thank you so much. As much of a success I was I also failed as I posted the wrong picture. A few days ago I was watering my plants in a small 6x8 greenhouse. In my neck of the woods we have had a bit of global warming in late January early February. I was not inside for very long and I was surrounded by bees going nuts over my tomato blossoms. So I raced inside to get my camera to see what I could do.

The bees tolerated me, but started buzzing my head so I only got off a few shots before I retreated and closed the door.

I did get a really nice shot of a bee's head plunged into the blossom but mess up when I did the posting... I love the art of capturing the visual but am also intimated by my failures to operate the camera.

Thank you again so much for helping me to accomplish a goal I have for so long felt intimated to try.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

You are welcome!

If you move slowly and don't show fear the bees usually don't bother you. Just don't trigger their fright reflex.

[Just mythoughts]

Just mythoughts, note, SWAMPSNIPER is being modest. He's the best 'non pro' pro on FR. He is my 'Obie-One' for digital SLR Cameras and digital photography. It was thanks to him that I got back into Photography and went digital with a Nikon D3000 (I wanted that model specifically)......

You are so correct about the SWAMPSNIPER!!!! I have followed his posted shots over time and marveled. I have found the best 'teachers' are modest. All the cameras I have ever owned were 'gifts', first of which was back in the 70's a Polaroid... which was fun but not what I really wanted. I was then given a Nikon FG and I nearly wore it out. I would drool over the digital cameras when they were first available and finally was given one approximately 7-8 years ago. It was a Canon PowerShot... I loved the size but the camera was very limiting.

Then I got the best surprise when my dear family gave me a Nikon D90. The first couple of years I treated it like it was my 'baby' and was not at all comfortable in carrying it around. I am still very much in the discovery stage of learning how to use all the functions. Although it has 'video' I do not really care about that function. I am impressed with the life of the battery as compared to the little Canon.

So I would not even call myself a 'novice' yet.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

My cameras are usually like all my trucks have been, muddy and battered. It's not so bad now but when I was healthier I crawled into some really rough places. My Sony DSLR came with a matte black finish, the grip areas are all worn shiny now. It has some crud in the viewfinder and the auto flash isn't auto any more. I removed the focus screen a few days ago and cleaned that but there are places I can't reach that way. It still works though, just fine.

I've kept the sensor clean and that is the vital part.

When you change lenses in the field a lot you need to learn to do your own sensor cleaning. Sooner or later something will get in there that the auto function won't handle.

[Just mythoughts]

My cameras are usually like all my trucks have been, muddy and battered. It's not so bad now but when I was healthier I crawled into some really rough places. My Sony DSLR came with a matte black finish, the grip areas are all worn shiny now. It has some crud in the viewfinder and the auto flash isn't auto any more. I removed the focus screen a few days ago and cleaned that but there are places I can't reach that way. It still works though, just fine. I've kept the sensor clean and that is the vital part. When you change lenses in the field a lot you need to learn to do your own sensor cleaning. Sooner or later something will get in there that the auto function won't handle.

Someday I want to be this comfortable with my camera. Right now I do not have to worry about changing lenses as I only have the one.

[Just mythoughts]

My cameras are usually like all my trucks have been, muddy and battered. It's not so bad now but when I was healthier I crawled into some really rough places. My Sony DSLR came with a matte black finish, the grip areas are all worn shiny now. It has some crud in the viewfinder and the auto flash isn't auto any more. I removed the focus screen a few days ago and cleaned that but there are places I can't reach that way. It still works though, just fine. I've kept the sensor clean and that is the vital part. When you change lenses in the field a lot you need to learn to do your own sensor cleaning. Sooner or later something will get in there that the auto function won't handle.

Someday I want to be this comfortable with my camera. Right now I do not have to worry about changing lenses as I only have the one.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

I'm a lens junky. The great old Minolta Maxxum lenses fit my Sony and I can afford lenses that would be expensive if I had a Nikon or a Canon. I found a spotless 50mm f1.4 in a thrift shop for 5 bucks. That isn't a typical price but good deals are easy to find.

Many people don't know it but Minolta was a great innovator in autofocus design. The lenses made in the 80s are top notch.

[Just mythoughts]

I'm a lens junky. The great old Minolta Maxxum lenses fit my Sony and I can afford lenses that would be expensive if I had a Nikon or a Canon. I found a spotless 50mm f1.4 in a thrift shop for 5 bucks. That isn't a typical price but good deals are easy to find. Many people don't know it but Minolta was a great innovator in autofocus design. The lenses made in the 80s are top notch.

Your experience is what makes you a wonderful teacher. And yes Nikon has its limitations if one does not have the money.

[N. Theknow]

Thanks for the info. I will check it out.

Meanwhile...back at Flamingo...

This guy in the picture below, we called Fearless Fosdick because we shot this pic out the car window right next to him.

[Vinnie]

Yeah, that’s an L lens. Probably white. Their top of the line.
(sigh) you get what you pay for.

[rustbucket]

I'm planning to go visit the Alligator Farm in St. Augustine this spring to take pictures of the bird rookery there. It is a place that SWAMPSNIPER told me about. I went last year -- marvelous place for taking closeup pictures of wild herons, egrets, storks, and roseates. I could have almost hit some of the birds with my long lens.

After spending half a day there I'm thinking of heading to South Florida. I've never been to Flamingo. Is that a place you recommend? Are there other places in South Florida you recommend?

[N. Theknow]

I haven't been to the St. Augustine place. Keep me posted on that if you will.

Gatorland just south of Orlando is a good place to stop for the obvious reptiles but birds also abound there.

Flamingo is a beautiful drive through the Everglades. Bring plenty of insect repellant as the mosquitoes can be vicious. US Army does field testing of bug sprays there. It is also the only place on earth where crocodiles and alligators live together. Or so I am told. Be sure to check out the Eco-Pond if you go there.

Shark River Valley is a great place. They rent bikes and also have a tram that gives guided tours over the 15 mile paved pathway through the Everglades. Biking is best as you set your own pace for taking pics of reptiles and birds. Great Blue Herons about every 50 yards or so when we were there last. Anhinga, Lesser Blue Heron, Egrets, and gators abound.

Watch out on the East leg of the trip as there was a mother gator that was using one of her offspring as a lure. Got off my bike to take a shot of the little nipper and just spied Mama lying low in the sawgrass.

Gulf Coast, Pass-A-Grille area of St. Pete Beach is great for pelicans, gulls and plovers. Rent a jet ski and you can zip along with a dolphin escort.

And you can't beat the Gulf Coast for sundowns. Check out The Hurricane restaurant with a rooftop bar for viewing sunsets like this:

Have a good trip!